Washingtonians can kick their weekend off right by catching Seattle-based band Fleet Foxes and The Walkmen on Friday (9/23) at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. If you thought we were done with TVD giveaways for September, think again; we have a pair of lawn tickets to this show!
To follow up their self-titled debut album, Fleet Foxes took three years to refine their sound for their second full length, Helplessness Blues, released back in May via Sub Pop. Having had such a successful debut in 2008, it is hard to believe the band would have any trouble writing a follow up, but according to Pitchfork, “in late 2009, Fleet Foxes had an album’s worth of songs ready, but the tracks were mostly scrapped before mixing.”
The tumultuous road to the second album, however, proved beneficial to the band. The Bob Dylan-inspired folk vocals of Robin Pecknold returns on Helplessness Blues with more emotion and complexity, and won over critics a second time around—not something easy to do nowadays. “This battle between tension and serenity is new to the band’s repertoire, and it lends the album a compelling uneasiness that starkly contrasts the sunnier disposition of their first two releases,” writes Pitchfork.
You can experience the emotive harmonies of Pecknold live on Friday at Merriweather.
Hometown favorites The Walkmen will return to the area as the opener for the Fleet Foxes North American Tour. Taking inspiration from The Pogues, New Order, and even the Pixies, they will certainly get things started with their vintage rock sound. While The Walkmen may be Brooklyn- and Philadelphia-based now, the District will always be their home.
Fleet Foxes were originally named “Pineapple.” If you want a chance to win, we’re opening the comments up today to all fruit-based musical references.
You can go song title, band name, label name (big hint there), lyrics, you name it. We want some apple bottom jeans!
The winner will be selected on Friday (9/23) at noon and must confirm the tickets via email by 3pm for that night’s show.
